"...her life story reads like a multi-episode biopic, complete with cliffhangers at each turn."

That’s how Channel News Asia described my story. And honestly, it’s hard to disagree.

I’m an average Singaporean millennial who grew up believing there was a right way to build a good life: study hard, get good grades, find a stable job, settle down, and start a family.

I followed that path. But life had other plans.

At 38, I was unexpectedly diagnosed with breast cancer, despite having no family history of it. I moved between Singapore and Thailand for treatment while trying to keep my job.

Later that year, I left a long marriage that had become deeply unhappy. A few months later, I lost S$700,000 to a romance scam.

For years, I had become very good at making it look like I was okay. I was resilient, I kept going, and I rarely let others see how much I was struggling.

But eventually, I found myself struggling in ways I couldn’t explain. I was exhausted, overwhelmed by everyday environments, and often in tears. There were times when I couldn’t speak, even when I wanted to.

After seeking professional help, I was clinically diagnosed with autism at 40 and persistent depressive disorder at 41.

Those experiences changed the way I think about work, money, relationships, and what it means to build a good life. What good is success if it costs us our wellbeing?

In 2025, my work in mental wellbeing and inclusion was recognized through my appointment as a Beyond The Label ambassador. My work also contributed to my employer winning the Best Mental Wellbeing Strategy in the Workplace category at the This Can Happen Awards.

Then, in March 2026, my breast cancer returned. I underwent a double mastectomy, and shortly after, my position was made redundant.

It was another reminder that life can change in ways we never planned for. But it also reinforced something I had been learning for years: a career is only one part of a life, and success means little if we have to sacrifice our health, relationships, or sense of self to achieve it.

I don't believe we have to choose between ambition and wellbeing. We can care deeply about our work while also knowing when to slow down, rest, and make room for the rest of our lives.

It’s the perspective I bring to my writing.

I write about building careers we can sustain and lives we won't look back on with regret. My writing draws from 20+ years of professional experience, as well as learning from personal setbacks.

I write for anyone who wants to do meaningful work without sacrificing their wellbeing. For people who want to keep growing without constantly running on empty. For those who believes there should be more to life than simply getting through the next deadline. And for anyone wondering if there might be a better way to build a life.

I believe there is.

From left to right: Back in Singapore in 2021, Beyond The Label Fest 2025, Day After Double Mastectomy 2026

Hello, I'm Wendy

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